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Tel Jezreel, Jezreel Spring and Naboth's vineyard

Tel Jezreel (tel yizra'el in Hebrew) is located on a rocky spur on the foothills of the Gilboa Mountain Range. It was the main fortress of the Northern Israelite kingdom in the ninth century BCE. Archeological digs have been carried out on the tel, but there is nothing for visitors to view. There are wonderful views over the eastern Jezreel Valley. A short, easy hike goes from the tel to the Jezreel Spring and pool in the Jezreel Valley below. You may well be walking on the very path that King Ahab took when visiting Naboth’s vineyard! 

The Jezreel Valley is so named because of the fortress at Yizra’el. It was on the side of the valley and overlooked the Via Maris in the valley below. The Via Maris was the main highway that connected Egypt to Syria and Mesopotamia. The fortress also overlooked a major north-south road that connected the Galilee to Jerusalem via Ganim (Jenin).

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Yizra’el was one of the main residences of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ahab’s father Omri built Samaria as the southern capital of his kingdom. Yizra’el was probably his northern capital. It contained his main army and chariot force. We know from Assyrian inscriptions that Ahab had a mighty army, and that he participated in a battle against the Assyrians with a force of 2,000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers.

HIKE FROM TEL JEZREEL TO THE JEZREEL SPRING

 

Time: Just under an hour there and back.

Distance: 2 Km there and back.

Type of hike: Same way there and back.

Difficulty: Easy walking along a gravel path with some stone steps. The incline is not particularly steep.

Directions: Enter “Tel Jezreel” into Waze. This will bring you to the parking lot for the tel.

Admission: There is no admission charge, no brochure, and no restrooms. 

Public transport: There are a number of bus routes that stop close to the tel. Enter "Tel Yizreel" into Moovit.

Jezreel valley.jpeg

Hidden by a eucalyptus grove are the Jezreel Spring, pool, picnic tables, and camping places. 

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Bestseller! "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools"  and new! "The North of Israel for Everyone. The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites" by Arnold Slyper — with essays, directions, maps, and much more.

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​A HIKE FROM TEL JEZREEL TO THE JEZREEL SPRING 

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  • From the parking lot take the trail to the Observation Point. You will pass a sign in Hebrew relating the Biblical account of Naboth’s murder.

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At the Observation Point is a sign with distances to the places you are viewing. Ahead of you (to the north), on the far side of the Jezreel Valley, is the Hill of Moreh (Givat HaMoreh). In front of and to the left (west) of this hill are Moshav Merhavia and Kibbutz Merhavia. The Arab town of Sulam (known in the Bible as Shumen) is at the foot of this hill. To your west in the Jezreel Valley is the city of Afula, and north of this in the hills of the Galilee the city of Nazareth. The Jezreel Spring below you is hidden from your view because of the eucalyptus grove. At the time of the northern Israelite kingdom, this spring would have been protected by the lower city of Jezreel.

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  • The blue-marked trail turns down the hill. 

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  • At the base of the hill pass through the open gate and continue straight ahead through the field.

 

  • At the edge of the field turn right to the pool. In the center of the pool are the ruins of a house. There is a parking lot, picnic benches and places for camping.

 

  • ​Return to your car the way you came.

Jezreel spring.jpeg

Pool by the Jezreel Spring.

For the overview "Naboth's vineyard and the power of monarchy" — see my book "The North of Israel for Everyone: The Best Family Activities, Hikes and Historic Sites."

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